It is good for you if you have made up your mind to study abroad, since you have set a new target for your future. But what comes next? Here are some important steps you need to think about.

1.Choose your destination country, the college and course you want to attend

To choose the destination country, together with the college and course that you intend to attend (and are sufficiently prepared for) is the first and most crucial step in your application process.

If you already have a clear idea about this question, you can contact the college via Internet, telephone, fax, or other contact method, and ask them for further information such as a prospectus and application form. Then all you need to do is to fill in the application form and attach your personal documents requested by the college such as your IELTS or TOFEL score, your academic qualifications, and recommendations provided by your lecturers or employers, etc.

The college you are applying for will deal with your application according to both your personal details and the admission rules of the college. Once you have got the offer from the college, you can begin with your passport then visa application.

Perhaps you feel puzzled when you need to make a decision among so many choices of destinations, colleges, and courses, especially when you do not know much about them. Certainly you can visit the websites of each college, but there is a high probability that it will be very time-consuming. You can also consult friends that have successful experiences. However, there are many ways to sort out this problem.

You can also just simply click the button "application form" of this site and fill in the form. This free information service then will give you advice and let the colleges that suit your requirements contact you as soon as possible. At the same time, you can also receive free further information from these colleges. This will save your considerable time and help you choose your destination country, college, and course fast and effectively.

Once your relationships with these colleges have been developed, you can submit your application to your determined colleges and courses.
There could be different process details in different cases. For example, the college you are applying for might need you provide the English version of your academic qualifications such as diploma and certification. Then you need to contact the institutions that have awarded you these qualifications and get the documents translated into English. The process details could be different; you can just follow the instructions according to the application information provided by the colleges that you apply for.

2. Passport Application

Once you have got an offer from a college overseas, you can begin with your passport application in the Public Security Bureau that is in charge of the region where you are a registered resident.

You can get your passport application form in the Public Security Bureau. Besides the application form, you also need to attach certain personal documents such as, photographs, the offer letter, your ID card, your Residence Registration, the authentication issued by the Unit where your Personal Archive is registered to, etc. The passport fee is necessary. On the other hand, if you are a current student or a graduate of Chinese higher education, you also need to attach the authentication issued by the Education Bureau. Please have your personal documents prepared according to the instructions giving by the Public Security Bureau.

In addition, the documents such as offer letter that is provided by college overseas are written in foreign language such as English. But the Public Security Bureau might need you provide the Chinese version of the documents. You must make sure if you need to have them translated by specific qualified Notarisation Department.

3.Visa Application

After you have got your offer letter and passport, the next step is your visa application. Generally, you should submit your visa application to the nearest mission offering a visa service of the country you are going to. Usually, the applicant needs to attend an interview arranged by the visa officer. The visa application form can be downloaded from the website of the mission of your destination or gained from the office of the mission.

No matter by which means, you must make sure at the same time what personal documents you need to attach and what rules the mission will apply to your case. The personal documents might include your photographs, the offer letter, you valid passport, your financial documents issued by bank to demonstrate your sufficient financial ability to cover your tuition fees and living costs for your study abroad, your academic qualifications, the evidence of your language skills such as IELTS or TOFELS score, etc. Sometimes you even need to show your tenancy contract of your accommodation for your study overseas.

Certainly the visa fee is necessary. If you are current employed, you need to show relevant evidence with your salary payment details and the leave allowance issued by your employer. In addition, you need to show evidence of any sponsorship or scholarship you have gained. At the same time you show the original documents, you need to prepare photocopies of them so that the visa officer keep records. You can photocopy the blank application form in advance in case you make mistake when you fill in.

As to what specific documents your need to prepare for your visa application, if you need to attend the interview, by what means that the interview appointment can be arranged, how long it will take from your submission till your visa is issued, if there are any special requests, different cases might have different experiences as different countries might apply different rules to different application cases. However, you can get your information in advance by visiting the website or office of the mission of your destination country.

If an interview is necessary, simply and correctly reply to the questions of the visa officer. Although you might have different experiences during the interview, generally, all the visa officer needs is to make sure your purpose going abroad is to study, you are confident about your choice, you have sufficient financial ability to cover your tuition fees and living costs, you intend to go back China after you finish your study overseas. Usually, during the interview, you need to demonstrate you have sufficient language skills for your studying and living overseas.

4.Health Check-up and Foreign Currency Exchange Application

After you have got you visa, you need to arrange your health check-up in a specific Health Department. Perhaps you need some preventative injection. When you enter the custom of your destination country, you might be requested to show the health situation documents issued by the Health Department. Do not forget to bring your photographs and your passport with valid visa with you when you visit the Health Department and have your health checked.

At the same time, you need to submit your foreign currency exchange application to the Foreign Currency Administration Bureau. Generally, the documents you need to prepare include the authentication issued by your employer as an evidence of all your money is legal income (If you are sponsored by your family, the authentication should be issued by their employers.), your passport with valid visa, your tuition fees and living costs details provided by overseas college and approved by the Education Bureau, etc. Usually, you can apply to exchange the amount that equals to the tuition fees and living costs of your first year overseas. But there is maximum limit of the amount you can apply for.

Further application details and policies are available in the Foreign Currency Administration Bureau. Then, once your application is approved, you need to go to specific bank to have your money exchanged into foreign currency. The bank can help you transfer your money to your destination country at the same time. For the sake of safety, do not bring a large amount of cash with you! Finally, do not forget to get your Foreign Currency Carry Permission from the Foreign Currency Administration Bureau. You might be requested to show the Carry Permission by the Chinese custom officer when you leave China.

Oh, yes, it's time to book you airplane ticket. Good luck!